This week, in synagogues the world over, Jewish communities read the section from the Torah that describes the Israelites' miraculous passage through the Sea of Reeds and their irrepressible song of celebration when they reach the other side. The same day, on January 27, the world marked the UN International Day of Commemoration for the Holocaust.

This day, which was chosen as the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, is actually not part of the Jewish calendar. In fact, there is a religious day of remembrance known as Yom haShoah, which usually doesn't fall until May, placed in the Jewish liturgical year between Israeli Independence Day and the Israeli version of Remembrance Sunday.

Whatever day it is, the purpose remains the same: to utilise memory to both recall and prevent the tragedy of the Holocaust. What we recall and what we warn is that these events of nearly a century ago are not so distant after all.

Thus, having two days to recall and remember the Holocaust isn't an issue at all - we should have far more than two. As Jews we have learned to keep the memory of slavery in and liberation from Egypt close at hand - in liturgy, in study, and in our holidays (Passover). Until we can live with the memory of the Holocaust the same way, it will always seem far and distant. To make memory work, we have to keep it close, however painful that may be.

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